In a stunning shock and emotional stuff-up, the inspiring coming of age movie Moonlight has won Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards after the incorrect winner’s envelope was given to presenter Warren Beatty.

Moonlight chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up gay in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

The film took the number one award ahead of La La Land which was favourite to win but incorrectly named the winner of Best Picture by Actress Faye Dunaway, on stage after Beatty paused because he had Emma Stone, La La Land listed on his envelope.

What ensued across the next few minutes was quite calamitous as La La Land cast and crew appeared on stage and were making acceptance speeches when floor managers from The Oscars wriggled through the assembled throng on stage to find the correct envelope.

Eventually, the cast of La La Land had to announce there had been a mistake and that Moonlight and not themselves were the winners.

To his credit, Warren Beatty accepted responsibility for the mistake immediately by explaining what he had seen on his envelope. Organisers are sure to be investigating how the incorrect envelope made its way onto the stage for the final award of the night.

Moonlight (Supplied)

Along with Best Picture, Moonlight also won Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali and Best Adapted Screenplay.